College Cost

College Cost

Community colleges are a good financial choice. Even if you plan on earning a bachelor’s degree, beginning your education at a community college will save you thousands of dollars in tuition and fees.

You may qualify for reduced or free tuition and fees. Are you a veteran of the armed services or a child or spouse of a veteran? Are you a resident of the area and want to learn English? Or maybe you qualify in another way? Check Tuition Waivers for the full list of reduced tuition and tuition waivers.

Community colleges are a good financial choice, even for those who plan to earn a four-year degree.

Estimated annual tuition and fees*

Highline College: $4,026

10$

Four-Year Public College: $11,600

28$

Four-Year Private College: $40,000

100$

*Estimated annual in-state, lower division tuition and fees for a student enrolled in 15 credits each term during the 2018–2019 academic year.

Cost of Attendance

The average annual income of the typical associate degree graduate in Washington at the midpoint of his or her career is $49,400, 35% more than someone with a high school diploma.

Source: Economic Modeling Specialists Intl., an organization providing socioeconomic impact and strategic planning tools to community and technical colleges in the U.S. and Canada. To see the full documentation of the study, contact the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC).